Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister together with key members of his political team Monday even as votes still get counted for a handful of key seats and his Labor party remains short of a majority.
The rather unusual arrangement has come about as the Quad, which brings together the US, Japan, India and Australia on matters of security, meets in Tokyo the very next day. Albanese, 59, wants to represent the country and renew ties with the leaders as the new prime minister.
Albanese’s victory in the federal election ended the coalition`s hold on power in Australia for nearly nine years. Anthony Albanese was sworn in by Governor-General David Hurley together with Richard Marles, Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher, according to news agency reports.
Taking to Twitter, Albanese said, “I am deeply honoured to serve as Australia`s Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, I want to bring people together and lead a government that is as courageous, hard-working and caring as the Australian people. That work starts today.”
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles and three key ministers – Penny Wong in foreign affairs, Jim Chalmers as treasurer and Katy Gallagher in finance – were also sworn in, with Wong to join Albanese on the Quad trip, said Reuters report.
Albanese reportedly said that he spoke to US President Joe Biden on Sunday night and was looking forward to meeting him alongside the prime ministers of Japan and India on Tuesday. He will return to Australia on Wednesday.
The Quad Summit in Tokyo is the fourth interaction of Quad leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, in-person Summit in Washington DC in September 2021 and virtual meeting in March 2022.
The leaders will review the progress of Quad initiatives and Working Groups, identify new areas of cooperation and provide strategic guidance and vision for future collaboration.
